Who is Affected?

Eating disorders can occur in people of all ages and genders, across all socioeconomic groups, and from any cultural background.

Age

Although eating disorders can develop at any age, the peak risk period for the onset of an eating disorder is adolescence.

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Eating disorders represent the third most common chronic illness for young females

Eating disorders represent the second leading cause of mental disorder disability for young females

Adolescents with diabetes may have a 2.4-fold higher risk of developing an eating disorder

Adolescent girls who diet at a severe level are 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder within 6 months. This risk increases to a 1 in 5 chance over 12 months

Studies of body dissatisfaction in adolescence have found varying but consistently high levels:

70% of adolescent girls have body dissatisfaction

Body dissatisfaction is identified in the Mission Australia Youth Survey (2013) as one of the top ranked issue of concern for young people

Gender

Approximately 15% of Australian women experience an eating disorder during their lifetime.

While eating disorders are often portrayed as illnesses that only affect females, large population studies suggest that up to a quarter of people suffering with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa are male, and almost an equal number of males and females suffer with binge eating disorder. We also know that under-diagnosis and cultural stigma mean that the actual proportion of males with eating disorders could be much higher.

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Population studies have suggested that males make up approximately 25% of people with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and 40% of people with binge eating disorder. In a recent study lifetime prevalence for anorexia nervosa in adolescents aged 13 – 18 years found no difference between males and females.

This Internet site is presented by the Butterfly Foundation as co-ordinating agency of the National Eating Disorders Collaboration for the purpose of providing information and resources on the prevention and management of eating disorders for the benefit of the public. The Butterfly Foundation as co-ordinating agency of the National Eating Disorders Collaboration monitors the information available on this Internet site and updates the information regularly. The Commonwealth and the Butterfly Foundation do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this Internet site or on any linked site.

The National Eating Disorders Collaboration is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health.

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